Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 58

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332

USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 58

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Hon. E. Heath Clark received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Brookville, then at the academy at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., Penn., and in 1858 at the academy of New Bethlehem. Clarion county. In the early '6os he began the study of law with George W. Ziegler, of Brook- ville, and continued this study with W. P. and George A. Jenks, of the same place, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1866. Since that time he has given his attention exclusively to his profes- sion, and his application has been rewarded by a success most gratifying to his ambition. His motto is justice for all and favors for none. The first year of his legal practice he passed alone at Brookville, and then formed a partnership with Lewis A. Grunder, which lasted until 1869, when Mr. Clark entered the law firm of W. P. and George A. Jenks as a partner, which partnership continued until the election of W. P. Jenks to the Bench in 1871. George A. Jenks and Mr. Clark continued under the firm name of Jenks & Clark for nearly twenty years, when Mr. Clark formed a partnership with his half-brother. George W. Means, and until I891 this firm en- joyed a most lucrative practice. During the year 1891, Mr. Clark's eldest son, Benjamin M., was admitted to the Bar and became a meinber of the

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firm of Clark, Means & Clark. That year Mr. E. Heath Clark was elected Judge of the 18th Judi- cial District, comprising the counties of Clarion and Jefferson. In 1895, Jefferson county, hav- ing acquired a population of 40,000, was organ- ized into a separate judicial district, No. 5 [- Clarion county still constituting the 18th, to which Judge Clark now gives his entire attention.

On April 22, 1861, Judge Clark was married to Miss Matilda H. McCreight, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Harriet McCreight, and to them have been born three children: (1) Lida S., who married E. A. Litch, and after his death became the wife of William C. Burton, of Brook- ville. (2) Benjamin McCreight, now the law partner of George W. Means, of Brookville; and (3) Harry G., a druggist in Franklin. Penn. Benjamin McCreight, the father of Mrs. Clark, served as county commissioner and treasurer of Jefferson county, fulfilling his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constit- uents. Mr. and Mrs. McCreight were among the earlier settlers of Brookville, Penn. He died August 3, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years, having been preceded to the unseen life by his devoted wife, who passed away January 26, 1880, at the age of seventy-four years. Her father, Andrew Hunter, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Politically, Judge Clark is a Democrat, and religiously a Presbyterian. He is very popular, both socially as a man, and professionally as a jurist.

P HILIP COOK, deceased, was for a number of years one of the leading farmers and lumber- men of Farmington township, Clarion county, as well as one of its honored and highly-respected citizens. A native of the county, his birth occurred in Beaver township in 1822, but during his boy- hood he was taken by his parents, John and Susan (Helpman) Cook, to Cooksburg, in 1828. On reaching manhood he was principally engaged in lumbering and boat building at that place in partnership with his brother, Judge A. Cook, for a number of years.

During the dark days of the Civil war, our subject enlisted in the Union service, but was later discharged on account of physical disabil- ity. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Barrett, of Ohio, a daughter of John W. and Sarah Lavely Barrett. Mr. and Mrs. Cook began their domestic life upon the farm in Farmington township, Clarion county, where the latter still resides, it having previously been purchased by Mr. Cook. Upon the place

he erected buildings, and made many other ex- cellent improvements which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.

Mr. Cook died from an injury in May, 1897, leaving a wife and two daughters, besides many friends to mourn his death. His children were: Susan E., who was born in December, 1880, and is now attending the Clarion Normal School; Arthur, who was born in 1882, and died in 1884; and Louisa B., who was born in 1884, and is attending the home school. The mother and daughters reside on the old homestead, and in the social circles of the community they occupy a prominent position. Mrs. Cook holds mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a most estimable woman.

Politically, Mr. Cook was originally an Old- line Whig and later a Republican. He always took active and commendable interest in local af- fairs as well as in State politics, and was one of the most prominent members of the party in his community, devoting himself to its best inter- ests. He also advocated a high protective tariff, and was well informed on governmental affairs. Being a man of large business experience and liberal views, he was foremost in almost every enterprise for the public good, when sound judg- ment and good financial ability were needed. He was an influential citizen, a kind neighbor, and was greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him.

D R. KNIGHT (deceased) was for many years one of the prominent and representative citizens of Richland township, Clarion county. He was born on the old homestead there, Janu- ary 12, 1831, and was one of the large family of children whose parents were Daniel and Hannah (Reichert) Knight, honored pioneers of Clarion county. The father was born in Westmoreland county. Penn., of German ancestry, and was an agriculturist by occupation. Upon the farm which he owned and operated in Richland town- ship his wife died, but his death occurred in Bea- ver township, Clarion county.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood on the home farm, and in Richland township, December 8, 1853, he married Miss Anna Crum, a native of Beaver township. Her father. John Crum, was born in Westmoreland county, a rep- resentative of one of its pioneer families, and was married in Armstrong county to Miss Mary Snyder, a native of Bedford county, Penn. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crum located in Beaver township, Clarion county, where the former died at the age of eighty years and the

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latter at the age of fifty-six. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Reformed Church. In their family were five children, nainely: George W., a resident of Oil City, Penn .; Isabelle, wife of J .. Neely, of Beaver township; O. J., of Clar- ion county; William, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Mrs. D. R. Knight.

Of the fourteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knight two are now deceased-George Nelson, who died at the age of nine, and Samuel Wash- ington, at the age of seven years. . Those living are as follows: William Irvin; Oliver C. ; Alice L., wife of H. J. Slicker, of Richland township; Arminta C., wife of A. L. Boyer, of Richland township; Elmer E .; John W .; Mary F., wife of F. I. Master, of Richland township; Charles E .; Bertha I .; Howard E .; Louis E .; and Jessie N.

Mr. Knight was a thoroughly systematic farm- er, and successfully operated his fine.farm of 150 acres in Richland township. He was also inter- ested in the oil industry, and was a most reliable, conscientious business man. He served as a member of the school board, and for many years was either a deacon or elder in the Reformed Church in Salem township, of which he was an active and prominent member. His death oc- curred June 2, 1892, and thus passed to his re- ward a man of noble character, whose life was well worthy of emulation.

M ILES SMITH, justice of the peace and president of the Rimersburg Bank, is one of the most progressive, energetic and reliable business men of Rimersburg. He is a native of Clarion county, his birth occurring in Monroe township, January 9, 1838, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Delp) Smith. His paternal great- grandfather, John Smith, was born in Germany, and on coming to the United States located in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn., where he engaged in farming and also served as justice of the peace.

Henry Smith, the grandfather of our subject. was a native of Westmoreland county, and in 1810 came to Clarion county, locating at Brush Run, Monroe township, where he operated a sawmill and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1859. His remains were interred on the home farm. In the county of his nativity he had married a Miss Waigley, who was killed by being hooked by a cow. They became the par- ents of five children: Elizabeth, who marricd J. Siers: Isaac, father of our subject; Catherine. who married John Clingersmith, sheriff of Clarion county; Hannah, widow of Michael Clingersmith, a brother of John; and Henry, who died in

Piney township, Clarion county, at the age of seventy-six. All are now deceased with the ex- ception of Hannah, who lives in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania.

Isaac Smith was born May 10, 1810, while his parents were en route to their new home in Clarion county. On reaching manhood he en- gaged in farming in this county until his removal in 1870, to Armstrong county, where he lived with his son James until called from this life at the age of sixty-seven years. He was buried in Eddyville, thatcounty. His wife died in Clarion county in 1863, at the age of fifty-two years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Reedsburg, Penn. Their children were: Susan, who mar- ried A. J. Smathers, and both are now deceased; H. A., a blacksmith of Corsica, Penn. ; Miles; James, a farmer of Armstrong county; Thomas E., an oil operator of Butler, Penn. ; Isaac G., who is also engaged in the same business in But- ler, and is numbered among its prominent citizens; Alvin B., who is interested in the oil business in Washington county, Penn .; and Falista, wife of Adam Smith, a farmer of Monroe township, Clarion county.

On leaving home at the age of nineteen years, Miles Smith served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade with his brother Henry in Greenville, Penn., and as he had some money, he later became a partner in the business. On withdrawing from the firm, he went to Oliver township, Jefferson Co .. Penn., where he pur- chased a farm, which he successfully operated for ten years. He came to Rimersburg in 1871 and for seventeen years conducted a tavern at this place. On the organization of the Rimersburg Bank in 1888, he was chosen president, and has since filled that responsible position.

In Armstrong county, on December 15. 1859, Mr. Smith married Miss Eliza McClatchey, Rev. Thomas Graham, a Methodist Episcopal min- ister, performing the ceremony. Two children have been born to them, namely: Charles M .. an invalid residing at home; and Lucinda C .. now the wife of George Culberson, a farmier of Toby township, Clarion county.

Mrs. Smith was born May 12, 1835, in Wash- ington township. Armstrong county, a daughter of James and Phoebe ( Watserson) McClatchey. who were natives of Westmoreland county, Penn., but were married in Armstrong county. where the father extensively engaged in farming and also operated a saw and grist mill. His last years were spent in retirement, and he died in 1870, at the age of seventy-six. His wife had passed away in 1850, at the age of fifty-four, and they now sleep side by side in the Presbyterian

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cemetery of Middlesex. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather, James McClatchey, was also an agriculturist by occupation, was three times inarried, and died in Armstrong county.

Mrs. Smith is one of a large family of chil- dren, who in order of birth are as follows: Mary, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-eight years; William, who died in 1894; James, who died in 1882; John, who, it is supposed, was taken from his home by the soldiers to the Mis- souri river and shot in 1861; Margaret, who re- sides on the old McClatchey home in Armstrong county, and is the widow of John Tyler, who died of fever in a hospital during his service in the Civil war; Catherine, deceased wife of Nevin Kerr, a retired farmer of Worthington, Penn .; Andrew J., deceased; Susanna, widow of Alexan- der Chillcot, of Pittsburg, Penn .; Jane, deceased wife of Samuel McGlocklin, of Armstrong county; Eliza, wife of our subject; Samuel, a farmer of Missouri; Phobe A., wife of John A. Early, who is engaged in the oil business in Armstrong coun- ty; and Nancy E., deceased wife of Samuel Mc- Glocklin, who had also married one of her sisters.

The Republican party finds in Mr. Smith an ardent supporter, and he has been called upon to serve as school director for the past two years, was constable in Jefferson county for six years, and in February, 1894, was elected justice of the peace, a position he is still creditably filling. Fraternally he is a member of the A. O. U. W., of East Brady, and the I. O. O. F., at Rimers- burg. Throughout life Mr. Smith has met with success and it has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind, and by honorable business prin- ciples. Possessing a genial and pleasant dispo- sition, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and his successful career ex- cites their admiration.

M TON. ANTHONY COOK, born January 14, 1824, died November 18, 1891. In this death, one of the truest and best men of this part of the State was taken from the community. Hundreds of people near the home of Judge Cook, in Forest, Jefferson, Clarion and adjoin- ing counties, and among his large circle of friends in his death sustained a personal loss.

The Judge was one of seventeen children of John Cook (deceased), who came from east of the Alleghany Mountains, and first settled in what

is now Beaver township, Clarion county. About the year 1826 he entered a tract of land at Cooks- burg-the nearest settlement to him being five miles, now Scotch Hill-and at once began to clear up the unbroken forest. In the year 1828, having some land cleared and in wheat. and a house or shanty built, he moved his family into it, having to follow a trail or path and make his own road ahead of him through the dense forests of pine and hemlock. He then built a sawinill at the mouth of Tom's run and began the lumber and boat business, floating his lumber and boats to market down the Clarion and Alle- gheny rivers, often returning in a canoe with groceries and necessaries for his family. He was twice married, first to Susannah Helpman. who died in 1830, by whom he had ten children. of whom the Judge was one. The father after- ward married Miss Catharine Ritter, and this union gave him seven children. His death oc- curred in 1858 when about seventy years of age. and his wife died in 1872. They were buried in the Cooksburg cemetery, which was John Cook's own established burying ground. His education was very limited, but he was a man of the great industry and the perseverance required to raise and support a large family in the midst of an unbroken wilderness.

Hon. Anthony Cook (known by most people as Andrew) was about four years old when his father took him to where he lived, made his for- tune and died. He was reared in the midst of the tall, primeval pines and hemlocks, breathed the pure air of mountains and valleys, and grew to be a giant in strength, six feet five inches in height and weighing 250 to 275 pounds. He was not only a giant in the physical sense, but he had a giant intellect, original in thought and action, and his success in life is the best proof of his judgment and ability. There were no modern school privileges when he was a boy, his nearest school being at Scotch Hill, five miles away, and then the Agnew school across the river from their home, three miles. The principal part of the Judge's education in early life was gained from study at night, after a hard day's labor, by the light of a pitch pine knot. He was a close student all his life; read many good books and periodicals, always read the weekly and daily papers when he could get them, and kept well-posted in politics and the business of the country. A cautious and close observer. his ad- vice especially in business, was considered the best obtainable. The most he ever went to school was after being married and keeping house, when Capt. Phipps, a nephew, taught a f small school in the end of the house in which the

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بالجسم تحكمفي

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Judge lived; at that time he and his wife had one

judgment, strict integrity, honest dealings. have or two children, but so anxious were they to + not only given him a name and character worthy learn that they both went to school.

From early boyhood the Judge took a great interest in, and assisted his father in his lumber business. When about twenty years of age, he and his two brothers, Philip and Jerry, began the lumber and boat business for themselves. Soon after Jerry was married, and Philip and Andrew carried on the business. In 1843 An- drew bought his brother out, continuing the work alone. In 1849 he married REBECCA ANN, daughter of John and Sarah (Wolf) Maze. There never lived a husband and wife more devoted to each other; the interest of the one was always the interest of the other, and their forty-two years of married life were forty-two years of perfect har- mony. They had eight children, the eldest and youngest of whom died in infancy; the remain- ing children are: John Wesley; Anthony Wayne; Jake Hill; Ida M., widow of the late Samuel W. Calvin; Thomas Burnside; and Hattie J., now Mrs. Dr. C. C. Ross. The chief object of the parents was the welfare of their children, and the children's greatest pleasure was the happi- ness of the parents. The father is gone, but the mother yet lives to aid and comfort her chil- dren, whose greatest joy will be to make the re- mainder of their mother's life happiness and peace.

Soon after Judge Cook started in business for himself he began accumulating property by pur- chasing large tracts of timber lands adjoining, and also the homestead and the greater part of the land originally purchased by his father. . He was careful in management, gave close attention to his business, and by his own industry, perse- verance and pluck, accumulated a large fortune in lands and other property in Forest and Clarion counties, known as the Cooksburg property, on which are erected threesawmills, one flouring-mill. one planing-mill, boat scaffold, several dwelling houses, and a store. In fact it is the best and most valuable timber property, taken as a whole. in this part of the State. He also owned the greater part of a large planing-mill and other property in East Brady; was the president and principal stockholder in the East Brady Bridge Company; also had a large lumber yard and other business interests in Pittsburg, and a large interest in timber lands in Oregon. Besides all these he was one of the founders, stockholders and directors of the Second National Bank of Clarion, of which for four years previous to his death he had been president. In the banking as well as in all his other business he showed more than ordinary skill and management. His good

of imitation, but also a large amount of this world's goods. He was modest and unassuming: kind and generous to the poor, of whom inany can testify to his help in times of need, yet these acts of charity were scarcely ever known to any except the one he helped, so carefully was he in such things to suppress publicity. He has been an employer of a great many men, all of whom bear witness of his kindness. Although he re- quired each man to do his work he never exacted more than the simple performance of duty, and all who worked for him will say that his word was as good as his bond.

Our subject took an active part in the organ- ization of Forest county, and was one of the first county commissioners. He held many county and township offices; was elected associate judge in 1870, serving five years. All his official acts were governed by sound judgment, equity and justice. He took a great interest in all public questions, and in politics was a Republican.

Judge Cook generally had the best of health, never having had any illness except a severe at- tack of typhoid fever when twenty-five years of age, which his strong constitution overcame. In February before he died he was attacked by la- grippe, from which he never recovered. It affected his stomach. finally causing catarrh ; his physician, Dr. Joseph N. Dickson,, of Pittsburg, thought a more congenial climate would be beneficial, and advised him to spend the winter in the South. In October, 1891, he, in company with Mrs. Cook, Hattie and Wayne, started south, intend- ing to spend the winter in Georgia. They stopped a few days in Pittsburg and Washington, and when they reached Old Point Comfort / Fortress Monroe) the Judge was tired and they stopped to rest. Dr. Dickson was summoned and found him suffering from malarial fever; the Doctor remained with him, giving him all care that med- ical skill could afford, but skill and good nursing were of no avail, his time had come, and from the complication of diseases his great constitu- tion gave way, and on the morning of November 18. 1891, he calmly and peacefully breathed his last. His work was done, his great, good heart ceased to beat, and he entered on the unseen life. The body was carefully embalmed and placed in a rolled steel, air-tight casket. and brought to his home at Cooksburg for interinent. , The funeral took place on November 23. Religious services were conducted by Rev. Andrews, a Universalist minister from Pittsburg, who accom- panied the remains from that place. On Sunday night before the burial a large number of the

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Judge's intimate friends had gathered to pay their last respects to him. The large house was full to overflowing. Rev. Andrews preached a learned discourse on the subject of prayer, which was listened to with profound interest.

Judge Cook in early life became convinced that there was one God, a Supreme Power, who ruled and governed all, and that all persons and things were subject to that power; he accepted the doctrine of the Universalist Church as being nearest in harmony with his convictions, and lived and died in the belief that God required us all to do right and obey the golden rule, and that He had prepared a better hoine for all who love Him and keep His commandments. A short time before his death, when asked by his family if he thought he was going to a better home, his answer was, " I think I am."

It was his desire that his remains be placed in a vault. On the lid of the casket was a large silver plate which was engraved:

At Rest. Anthony Cook. Born Jan., 14, 1824, Died Nov., 18, 1891.

At the head of the casket lay a pillow of roses and choice flowers, in which were imbedded " At Rest" in letters of blue. The pillow rested against a large wreath of smilax, roses, chrysan- themums and carnations placed upon palm leaves. A sheaf of wheat, on which lay a sickle made of smilax and flowers as above, rested at the foot of the casket. This was a fitting emblem of a ripened life ready for the sickle of death. The pall bearers were the four sons and four broth- ers of the deceased. The casket with the re- mains was taken to the Cooksburg cemetery placed in another air-tight zinc box, enclosed in a water-proof wooden box, and the whole laid in a temporary vault, there to remain until a per- manent vault could be made for the final resting place in the same cemetery according to the Judge's wishes. Notwithstanding the inclem- ency of the weather, the flood in the river, the number attending the funeral was the largest ever seen in the vicinity. Thus ends the life of a loved and useful citizen, one who has been sadly missed, not only by his family. but by all his numerous friends. There were few men so widely known and so universally loved and re- spected-a self-made man and a success in life.

His business has been continued by the fam- ily under the name of the A. Cook Sons.

After much time spent in looking up the qual- ity of northern and southern granite, together with the aid of government tests, the contract

for the building of the mausoleum was let to the Smith Granite Company of Westerly, R. I., August, 1892. But owing to the general strike prevalent all over the country among the granite cutters at that time, the mausoleum was not com- pleted until the fall of 1893, at a cost of $23, 000. The large brocks of granite to be seen through- out the construction of the building were espec- ially referred to in making the contract as inore liable to withstand the ravages of time and the elements. The exterior is built of the best qual- ity of blue granite,'all exposed parts being finely hammered. The work was all executed at West- erly, R. I., ready for final placement when re- .ceived at Cooksburg. The general dimensions . are 26.2x 16. 10 on the ground, and 17 feet high. The first and second courses are platforms or steps extending entirely around the building. while the third course projects only in front, and on which rest the four Doric columns that sup- port the front porch. These columns are of polished granite, having carved caps and moulded bases, and, what is rather unusual the columns each with their caps and bases are cut in one piece. The pilasters are cut solid on the ashler. and like the columnns have carved caps and moulded bases. Around the ventilator in the front gable, which is in one stone, is a carved wreath of laurel leaves, while immediately below on the frieze over the porch, the name "A. Cook" appears in raised letters, face polished. The roof is composed of five stones, each one extending the whole length of the building. The floor is of one stone also, which is highly pol- ished and ornamented with a beautiful con- ventional design, extending the entire length and breadth of the vestibule; the ends of the lat- ter are hammered blue granite and formed by the ashler extending through the wall; the ceiling is formed by one stone of blue, while all other parts are finished in red.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 58

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1332

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332